Frank Rigo (c. 1868 – 5 August 1936) was an American director of grand opera who had a substantial career in Australia, where he died penniless, leaving an orphaned daughter.
[1] He left for Australia in 1911 to work as producer for the Melba-Williamson combination, and remained in the country after his period of contract was over.
[a] Other stars of Rigo's operas include Constance Burt, who played Gretel in Hänsel und Gretel, Marguerite in Faust and Pamina in The Magic Flute; also Nellie Lafferty, who played Hansel to good reviews, but whose career was cut short by the 1914–18 war and a throat malady.
[4] Despite several benefit concerts held to celebrate his contribution to opera in Australia,[5][6] he died in poverty[7] at his home in Dalgety Street, St Kilda.
A benefit was held to support her, and the Melbourne Argus, harking back to Rigo's generous nature, started a fund with the same object.